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| Tai Chi but only if you pay | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 24 2016, 05:08 AM (334 Views) | |
| blizzard | Jan 24 2016, 05:08 AM Post #1 |
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Gold Star Member
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The following is rant. I do that sometimes. I thought I had finally found a shared exercise, that could fit into my life style, with Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism Tai Chi. Seems signing a waiver is not enough to attend, they want their money - cash or cheque only (no please) or sit out the class,like a naughty child, or go home. I was furious because I had not been told that I would be belittled, in front of other attendees, for having forgotten the payment. Silly me for thinking their mission "To Help Others: The foundation of the Taoist arts is compassion." Seems to be a case of cough up the cash first. I called the head office in Toronto. The thing is that I actually wanted to attend after I went to their open house and my first class yesterday, when I registered and signed the waiver. No copy provided, however that is how such matters are normally dealt with when taking up a membership. A waiver is a waiver, 100% - until lawyers get hold of it. Now I do not know if I will return for the simple fact the same person who should have known better will be there. Why create more tension for myself? I did make the suggestion that all new members should be told verbally and in writing of payment expectations as well as how to pay before classes begin for any new sessions. Either as a group, much less in your face, or individually upon registration. I guess online is too much for them to figure out. I also made it clear that I had simply forgotten and it was far too cold this morning to consider leaving any earlier to walk to town, an early Sunday morning at that, then back to the Tai Chi location. When I mentioned that the silly woman actually argued that itched been colder yesterday! First, who the hell cares? I was talking about today and the wind chill factor, not bloody yesterday when I registered and had no trouble with attending. If they are worried about non-payment they need to keep track of who comes and goes - pretty easy there. Anyway, waiting for someone to call me from the Kingston branch. I am still very growly about it all as the mission statement was not met. |
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| Dana | Jan 24 2016, 06:19 AM Post #2 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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I once belonged to a group that didn't charge people who were visiting but it was only a group of older women who just wanted to do the 108 form together a few times a week, not a very formal organization and very low cost to rent a room. After belonging to that group I went on to learn from proper teachers. Now a friend and I do forms together wherever we feel like it depending on the weather. No fees, no rules except Taiji basics. That's the beauty of Taiji; once you know it you can do it anywhere with little or no equipment. The other day I met one of the ladies from the old group who told me she dropped out of it a few months ago because they laughed at her hair cut !!! She does her form at home religiously every day. A sweetheart of a lady who never ever said boo to anyone did not deserve such treatment. I realize that I have now known her for 20 years. Anyway, stuff happens. Sorry for your unfortunate experience. |
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| agate | Jan 24 2016, 07:51 AM Post #3 |
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That is not a nice experience that you went through Blizzard. I took my lessons through the Taoism Tai Chi group. I found them very rigid about many things. Fortunately we have a seniors group, break away group "they" call it LOL Being seniors we get a room through the seniors resource center for very few dollars and therefore our cost is $10/month. I found it very expensive at their place and they where always pushing you to attend all kinds of things at added cost. Our leaders are qualified instructors and as such they are able to lead beginners classes . As Dana says you can do it any where but I do find I am not disciplined enough to do that LOL Edited by agate, Jan 24 2016, 07:51 AM.
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| agate | Jan 24 2016, 07:53 AM Post #4 |
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I wanted to add that our group is very flexible. When I missed so many months when Ron was dying I did not have to pay for those times...gotta love that. |
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| angora | Jan 24 2016, 08:11 AM Post #5 |
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WWS Book Club Coordinator
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John also found the Taoist Tai Chi group in Stratford very inflexible and definitely always urging him to spend money on weekends away and such. Before we left the GTA in the first place, some 25 years ago, we had a fab instructor who operated on his own. He even got me involved and helped my balance considerably while I worked with him. Nice guy too. |
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| FuzzyO | Jan 24 2016, 08:17 AM Post #6 |
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That's really very poor Blizzard. You have every reason to be growly. |
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| blizzard | Jan 24 2016, 04:54 PM Post #7 |
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Gold Star Member
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I guess I shall choose my bottle later in the week if I do not hear from the Kingstn branch. In the meanwhile I shall try to find another group. My plan is to at least learn the 108 moves. I thought this would be the perfect venue - barley a five minute walk from my daughter's, Friday and Saturday mornings, time to get some fluidity in my body and spend time in town. We shall see, I might just have to stick to strictly walking but still go to town on weekends. |
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| Shorty | Jan 24 2016, 05:20 PM Post #8 |
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Red Star Member
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Preachers don't always practice what they say if there's money involved. Hope you hear from Kingston. |
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| Trotsky | Jan 25 2016, 03:24 AM Post #9 |
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Big City Boy
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blizzard, I am confused. Is it pay per class before class begins? <like going to the movies> Did they spell that out in advance, perhaps in that "waiver." Did you presume the classes were free? Last building we had two groups of Chinese women who were faithfully out in the garden soon after dawn EVERY day with decent weather, doing some lovely Tai Chi. I recall a TV show long ago that took you through it step by step. It looks like a good regimen for grace and balance and flexibility, but not much use for strength or endurance (aerobics.) I would try it if it were free and I could get in on a first beginner's class. Right now, I am concentrating on fast step climbing (up to 188 steps each evening<110 vertical feet> last 2 days) Cannot decide how fast to take it. Bolting up the stairs has me huffing and puffing at the end that it is scaring Bob. So perhaps I will slow to a gentle amble? I will try to add another flight, 12 steps, each week. Edited by Trotsky, Jan 25 2016, 03:25 AM.
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| blizzard | Jan 25 2016, 03:40 AM Post #10 |
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Gold Star Member
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Trotsky, there is a registration form, a waiver and a membership fee. I forgot to take money out of the bank for the fee. Foolishly thought I could bring it later that morning, while continuing classes were, well continuing. Instead I was basically shown the door in a rather public manner despite having already signed the waiver the previous day. It was how I was treated that has caused my BP to boil. This is a charitable organization, not a money making scheme and the membership fee is not to cover waivers for injuries or whatever else we sign it for. |
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| Trotsky | Jan 25 2016, 05:19 AM Post #11 |
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Big City Boy
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Are you going to give it another shot, blizzard, or did this kerfuffle cause you to walk away permanently. I amgoing to check to see if my gym offers Tai-Chi classes (for free to members.) I could use some balance enhancement to avoid future falls. I tend to be impatient and that V E R Y S L O W movement might get on my nerves. Edited by Trotsky, Jan 25 2016, 05:20 AM.
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| Dana | Jan 25 2016, 06:39 AM Post #12 |
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WWS Hummingbird Guru & Wildlife photographer extrordinaire
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All groups are not equal. My practice partner attended the local Taoist Tai Chi group and found that they were teaching some bad knee postures and were very rigid in their thinking. Yes, form is form and not to be changed but when science points out the danger in a bad posture it ought not to be ignored. One of my fave Taiji guys is Sam Masich, a BCer who schooled with masters including Liang Shoyu. Sam teaches all over the place and has a website. Above all Taiji should be fun. My friend says that doing form while feeling upset only feels like circulating poison throughout her system. Anyway, here's Sam. Friend and I do the two person bare hand and sword sets together. I bought his dvd set when he put it out after having worn out a copied vhs tape of his early 108 set. I figured I owed him big time for that free use (it was not possible to buy earlier). When I first started watching how he and Liang Shoyu did the forms I had great difficulty relating it to the Taoist style moves. There seems a great difference between the Taoist style and all others I have seen and learned. Some samples http://www.sammasich.com/index.php?content_id=1185&main_menu_id=2 Something I have also noticed is how he has changed knee posture over the years to a better one. Masters keep learning it seems. If you ever get a chance to attend a Taiji demonstration that is not Taoist style do go. I went to see a couple of competitive meets and saw many different styles and forms. Great fun. Vancouver hosts a Tiger Balm tournament every year in March, I think. Perhaps in Kingston too? |
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| angora | Jan 25 2016, 08:04 AM Post #13 |
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WWS Book Club Coordinator
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I think tai chi is supposed to calm one. It certainly has that effect on John. I spent so much time falling over that I felt bruised more than anything. That being said, Blizzard maybe you are upsetting yourself unnecessarily. That is counter to your original purpose. Think about it. :) |
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| Trotsky | Jan 25 2016, 10:08 AM Post #14 |
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Big City Boy
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Dana, I have never seen the steps performed with swords. I guess like all Eastern meditative exercise regimens Tai Chi had its roots in self defense. |
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| Shorty | Jan 25 2016, 10:20 AM Post #15 |
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Red Star Member
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Blizzard, out of curiosity, how much was the class? |
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